More charges in UPSET bust

CRYSTAL FALLS – Additional charges have been filed against some of the defendants accused in a recent Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) drug bust in Iron River.

Six Iron County residents were arrested in the May 21 incident. All will return to Iron County Trial Court for preliminary examinations on June 18.

Joseph Baclich Jr., 31, of Iron River faces two felony counts of delivery of heroin, as well as seven new felony counts of possession of analogues and one new high court misdemeanor count of maintaining a drug house.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, Baclich allegedly possessed alprazolam, which is also known as Xanax; hydrocodone, a painkiller; diazepam, which is also known as Valium; and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant.

Baclich is also listed as a habitual offender-second. Court records show that he was convicted of attempted discharge a firearm in a building in 2010.

If convicted, Baclich could spend up to 30 years in prison for each delivery of heroin count, and up to three years in prison for each possession of analogues and maintaining a drug house count.

Michael Walsh, 28, of Iron River faces two felony counts of delivery of heroin, as well as three new felony counts of possession of heroin.

Walsh is listed as a habitual offender-third. Court records show that he was convicted of attempted prisoner possessing contraband in 2003 and accessory after the fact to a felony in 2004.

If convicted, Walsh could spend up to 40 years in prison for each delivery of heroin count, and up to eight years in prison for each possession of heroin count.

Amy Marcell, 38, of Iron River now faces four felony counts of delivery of a schedule I, II, or III drug.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, Marcell allegedly delivered the painkillers hydrocodone, OxyContin, and fentanyl.

If convicted, Marcell could spend up to seven years in prison for each count.

Elizabeth Clements, 28, of Caspian now faces 10 felony counts of delivery of a schedule I, II, or III drug.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, Clements allegedly delivered Ritalin, a stimulant.

If convicted, Clements could spend up to seven years in prison for each count.

No additional charges were issued for Cami Fittante, 19, of Iron River or Rhonda Nichols, 31, of Caspian.

Fittante faces one felony count of possession of heroin, one misdemeanor count of use of heroin, and one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.

If convicted, Fittante could spend up to four years in prison for the felony count, and up to one year in jail for the misdemeanor counts.

Nichols faces two felony counts of delivery of heroin.

She is also listed as a habitual offender-fourth. Court records show that she was convicted of home invasion, identity theft, and two separate counts of uttering and publishing in 2011.

Due to her habitual offender status, Nichols could spend up to life in prison if she is convicted.